So You Want To Get In Better Shape?

Getting in shape can be a real challenge. Despite what you might see on Instagram and other social media sites, transformations take time and a lot of hard work. Most of us have, at one point or another, started a health kick and then after a month or two slipped back into our old ways. However, it doesn’t have to be that way; it’s just a case of finding a plan that combines exercise and healthy eating in a way that works for you. Admittedly, this isn’t always easy, but it is doable.

The truth is, at first it will be hard, but as time goes by you will find that being healthy starts to feel more ‘normal.’ The most important thing during the first few weeks is to be as motivated as possible, as this is what will ensure that you stay on track. Of course, it’s also essential to find the best methods of getting in better shape for you. What it’s important to remember is that everyone is different and what works for someone else may not necessarily work for you.

To help you get in better shape, we’ve put together a few popular tips and tricks to try. These are all things that have proved successful for many others who were trying to get in shape. Give the below ideas a try and see what works for you.

Swap to healthy, whole foods

By cutting out the junk food, you’ll feel better, and your body will become healthier. You may be addicted to foods that contain processed ingredients, such as chocolate, crisps, and ready meals. However, you need to wean yourself off of them. Start by cutting down the amount of junk that you’re eating, and then eventually, stop eating junk foods altogether. They may taste nice, but if you keep eating unhealthy foods, they’ll wreak havoc on your health.

Instead, swap to eating healthy, whole foods. These are foods that are as natural as possible, as in, they have had very little added to them. For example, oats, brown rice, quinoa, brown bread, vegetables, fruit, and lean meat and fish, are all healthy, whole foods. These are ideal for eating while trying to be healthier, as they only contain good fats, not processed ones.

Find someone who inspires you

If you want to stay motivated, the best thing to do is find someone who motivates you. This could be a friend or relative, a personal trainer, or a fitness or health guru from social media. The person who inspires you needs to be someone who you can relate to, such as someone who’s gone from being overweight to a healthy weight. This is because you’ll find that you’re able to associate with them and their story more easily.

Follow an exercise plan

Talking of fitness gurus, it’s important to follow an exercise plan, instead of doing random types of exercise. The good news is that a lot of fitness and health gurus have brought out exercise routines, such as Kayla Itsines, for example. Some of which, however, are hugely expensive, such as Kayla’s workouts. While other, less well-known gurus, offer much more affordable workout programs. It’s just a case of researching all the best workout plans and seeing which one you think will work best for you. There are plenty to choose from, so there should be one that works for you.

That being said, if there’s not a workout plan that seems right for you, don’t let that put you off. Instead, invest in a personal trainer. The great thing about having a personal trainer is that your exercise regime is tailored specifically to you. This means that it will be made to ensure that you achieve the best results possible in the easiest way possible.

Make time for meditational exercise

When it comes to getting in better shape, it’s easy to make the mistake of thinking it’s all about what you eat and how much exercise you do. However, that’s not the case. If you want to be healthy both physically and mentally, it pays to make time for meditational exercise. Even if it’s just attending a yoga class once a week, it doesn’t matter. Meditational exercise is a great way to calm your mind and alleviate stress.

Plan and prepare in advance

One of the most important things when it comes to how successful getting in better shape goes for you is being prepared. This may sound odd, but hear us out. When you get home from work late and are tired, most of the time you can’t be bothered to cook. It’s this that leads to you opting to eat a ready meal, instead of something healthy. However, if you’ve already got healthy meals at home, you’ve got no excuse to be unhealthy. That’s why being prepared and planning in advance is so important.

Each week, set aside one afternoon where you can make meals for the week. This can either be making the meals completely or preparing the ingredients so that all you have to do is throw it all in a pan and voila. Any meals you prepare in advance put in plastic containers and refrigerate or freeze. So that should you need a quick, healthy meal, you’ve got it.

Reward yourself

Last but not least, don’t forget to reward yourself. Far too many of us are too strict with our healthy eating and because of this, fail to reward ourselves. Once a week, allow yourself to have a treat, as a reward for all your hard work. If you don’t fancy a sweet treat, how about rewarding yourself to a new item of clothing for every five pounds that you lose? Having an incentive is important, which is why it’s crucial that you make sure to reward yourself.

So there you have it, all the best tips and tricks for getting in better shape. Take these on board and you can give your health the boost it needs.